HEART AND PERIPHERAL VASCULAR VALVE REPLACEMENT IN CONJUNCTION WITH A SUPPORT RING
An implantable valve replacement system for a cardiovascular valve may include an adjustable stabilizing ring. The stabilizing ring may be composed of a body member that is transitionable from an elongate insertion geometry to an annular operable geometry. The stabilizing ring may further include a plurality of anchors deployable in the annular operable geometry to engage the annulus of the cardiovascular valve. The ring may be used in conjunction with an implantable valve frame. The valve frame may be located within the ring and the ring, in turn, may be stabilized through the anchors engaging the valve annulus. The valve replacement system may be applied by engaging the ring in its annular operable geometry with the valve annulus through the anchors. The valve frame may be inserted through the opening of the ring, thereby forming a stabilizing mechanical contact between the frame and the annulus.
1 . An implantable valve system comprising:
an adjustable stabilizing ring comprising:
a body member that is transitionable from an elongate insertion geometry to an annular operable geometry, and
a plurality of anchors deployable in the annular operable geometry to engage the annulus of a cardiovascular valve; and
an implantable valve frame in mechanical communication with the adjustable stabilizing ring,
wherein the elongate insertion geometry is configured to allow percutaneous passage of the stabilizing ring, via a catheter, to a position adjacent to an annulus of the cardiovascular valve, and
wherein the annular operable geometry has a closed state to conform to the annulus of the cardiovascular valve.
2 . The implantable valve system of claim 1 , wherein the implantable valve frame comprises one, two, or three valve leaflets.
3 . The implantable valve system of claim 1 , wherein the adjustable stabilizing ring, the implantable valve frame, or both are coated with a pliable material.
4 . The implantable valve system of claim 3 , wherein the pliable material is a polymer.
5 . The implantable valve system of claim 3 , wherein the pliable material is a polyester.
6 . The implantable valve system of claim 1 , wherein the implantable valve frame comprises a first support element, a second support element, and at least one bridging element extending from the first support element to the second support element.
7 . The implantable valve system of claim 6 , wherein the implantable valve frame further comprises one, two, or three valve leaflets at least partially secured to the first support element, the second support element, the at least one bridging element, or any combination thereof.
8 . The implantable valve system of claim 6 , wherein the at least one bridging element comprises a continuous surface having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is in physical contact with an entirety of the first support element and the second end is in physical contact with an entirety of the second support element.
9 . The implantable valve system of claim 6 , wherein the at least one bridging element comprises a collapsible material.
10 . The implantable valve system of claim 6 , wherein the at least one bridging element comprises a woven material.
11 . The implantable valve system of claim 6 , wherein the at least one bridging element comprises a plurality of independent bridging elements.
12 . The implantable valve system of claim 6 , wherein the at least one bridging element extends radially inwards towards a central axis of the implantable valve frame.
13 . The implantable valve system of claim 6 , wherein at least a portion of an exterior surface of the at least one bridging element is in mechanical communication with the adjustable stabilizing ring.
14 . The implantable valve system of claim 6 , wherein the implantable valve frame comprises at least one ring anchor configured to stabilize the implantable valve frame in mechanical communication with the adjustable stabilizing ring.
15 . The implantable valve system of claim 14 , wherein the at least one ring anchor is in mechanical communication with the at least one bridging element.
16 . The implantable valve system of claim 1 , wherein the implantable valve frame comprises a woven structure.
17 . The implantable valve system of claim 1 , wherein the implantable valve frame comprises a plurality of elements disposed in a criss-cross arrangement.
18 . The implantable valve system of claim 1 , wherein the implantable valve frame comprises at least a portion of a stent.
19 . The implantable valve system of claim 1 , wherein the implantable valve frame is rigid or semi-rigid.
20 . The implantable valve system of claim 1 , wherein the implantable valve frame is at least partially collapsible.
21 . The implantable valve system of claim 20 , wherein the implantable valve frame is configured to be delivered via a catheter in an at least partially collapsed state.
22 . The implantable valve system of claim 20 , wherein the at least partially collapsible implantable valve frame is expandable.
23 . The implantable valve system of claim 22 , wherein the at least partially collapsible implantable valve frame is self-expandable.
24 . The implantable valve system of claim 22 , wherein the at least partially collapsible implantable valve frame is configured to expand under the actions of an expansion device.
25 . The implantable valve system of claim 1 , wherein the implantable valve frame comprises one or more of a memory metal, a nickel titanium alloy, a stainless steel alloy, and a cobalt-chrome alloy.
26 . The implantable valve system of claim 1 , wherein the adjustable stabilizing ring in the annular operable geometry is rigid or semi-rigid in the closed state.